Gymnastic machine and methods for using it, for training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles and joints of the human body

ABSTRACT

The machine comprises a frame ( 1 ) to which means are attached that can be actuated by the limbs to overcome a force generated by resistance components by performing one or more exercises. The machine comprises two workstations having similar and similarly arranged actuating means ( 15, 20, 21 A,  21 B,  23, 123 ), all connected to the same resistance component ( 13; 113 ), so as to allow said persons, working together, to combine their respective efforts as they exercise.

The present invention relates to a gymnastic machine for training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles and joints of the human body, comprising a frame to which means are attached that can be actuated by the limbs to overcome a force generated by resistance components-by performing one or more exercises.

There are already in the prior art a variety of different machines of this type offering a wide range of exercises for training the human body. However, the known machines are designed for individual training or rehabilitation exercises in which each person trains on their own, following a program of exercises, the type, number and intensity of which may be prescribed by an instructor. Under such conditions an instructor cannot have a precise, direct idea of how suitable the prescribed exercise actually is for the person for whom it was set, or of how the person is actually carrying it out. Furthermore, training and rehabilitation require a constant high degree of motivation from the person, which often quickly flags in the face of difficulties or the boredom of a repetitive exercise, without a direct perception of the slow but steady progress achievable with a well-executed training program.

The object of the present invention is to overcome these difficulties by means of a machine that comprises at least two workstations, each for one person, and similar and similarly arranged actuating means belonging to said workstations, all connected to the same resistance component, so as to allow said persons, working together, to combine their respective efforts as they exercise. In this way several people can work together, the groupwork giving them the extra motivation of competing with and observing each other, thus helping each one to combat the tedium typical of training. Another possibility is for a pupil to exercise together with the instructor, allowing the instructor to vary the effort in a controlled manner by cooperating with the pupil from another workstation or, by means of an auxiliary handlebar unit as will be described later, opposing the movements of the pupil, this giving a direct feel for what the pupil's limits and progress are, and allowing the instructor to put the pupil through passive stretching exercises.

Said resistance component may be a weight, a spring or an actuator of e.g. fluid, electric, electromagnetic or other type, and may be adjustable to vary the resistance force.

In a preferred embodiment, said frame has a vertical axis of symmetry about which at least two workstations are arranged, each comprising a bench and means that can be actuated for exercises to be carried out by the arms and legs. The resistance component shared by the various stations may be arranged approximately coaxially with said axis of symmetry.

The invention also comprises the methods of training and physical rehabilitation that use a machine according to the invention, particularly for group exercises using a shared resistance component and for the training of a pupil by an instructor working with or opposing the pupil and varying the effort in a controlled manner whether by movement or by being stationary.

Other aspects of the present invention are shown in the following description and in the appended claims.

A clearer understanding of the invention will be gained from the description and accompanying drawing, the latter showing a non-restrictive example of the invention. In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a side view of a machine according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a partial end-view marked II-II in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partial top view marked III-III in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial plan view marked IV-IV in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial view marked V-V in FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a partial view marked VI-VI in FIG. 15;

FIG. 7 is a partial side view marked VI-VII in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a side view marked VIII-VIII in FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 shows two views of detail IX in FIG. 8, enlarged and partly sectioned;

FIG. 10 is a plan view marked X-X in FIG. 8;

FIG. 11 is a partial plan view marked XI-XI in FIG. 1;

FIGS. 12 and 13 show a partial side view marked XII-XII in FIG. 1 of a handlebar unit, in two different positions of extension;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show a partial perspective view and a side view, respectively, of the machine of FIG. 1 in two different configurations of use; and

FIGS. 16 and 17 are plan views similar to FIGS. 11 and 10, respectively, for another embodiment of the invention.

In a first embodiment, the machine disclosed is suitable for training or rehabilitation of two people simultaneously, or of a pupil working with a trainer.

The machine comprises a drawn steel frame 1 (FIGS. 1, 2, 3 and 7) extending largely in a vertical plane parallel to the plane of the drawing of FIG. 1, and is symmetrical about a vertical axis Z-Z. The frame comprises a cross-shaped base 3 consisting of a bar 3A with relatively short transverse pieces 3B, 3C, 3D extending out on either side of the bar 3A and fixed to it. Fixed to the base 3 are a pair of vertical uprights 5 arranged symmetrically about the axis Z-Z: these uprights are connected at the top to a longitudinal bar 7 projecting out on either side beyond the uprights 5. Fixed to the center of the top bar 7 is a short transverse piece 7A projecting to both sides. In addition a bar 9A is attached to each upright 5 like a bracket with a sitting surface 9B for a bench 9 on it, while a backrest 9C is also mounted on the upright. Two seated workstations are thus defined back to back.

The following description refers only to the right-hand workstation, when viewing FIG. 1, but it is to be understood that similar parts and parts with the same function are also to be found in the left-hand workstation.

Fixed between the base 3 and the top 7 are two vertical round bars 11 to guide a set of weights 13 that are to be lifted. The set of weights 13 to be lifted is made up of-stacked plates such as 13A (see FIGS. 8, 9 and 10) with vertical through holes for the runners 11 and with openings for flat rods 12. The rods 12 have a hole 12A at the top to attach a weight lifting cable, and holes 12B for insertion of a bar 14 at the bottom of the set of plates 13 which it is wished to lift. In this way, given a supply of stacked plates 13, it is possible to vary at will the weight to be lifted. The plates such as 13A contain two rows of three openings for the flat rods 12 to pass through, each row being situated in the half of the plates 13A nearest to the corresponding workstation, to allow for an orderly arrangement of the cables for the simultaneous lifting of the weights by the people in both workstations.

In front of each bench 9 is a handlebar unit 15 (see also FIGS. 2, 4 and 5) formed by a left and a right handle 15A, 15B which extend generally vertically. The handlebar unit 5 is connected to the bottom end of a pair of rods 15D, 15F hinged to the top bar 7 by a pin 15P. These handles are connected to-the rods 15D, 15F (FIG. 5) by pins 15G having respective axes Y—Y parallel to the axes of the rods 15D, 15F. The bottom ends of the rods 15D, 15F have a transverse cavity through which a sliding bolt 15H can be pushed to lock together the rods 15D, 15F and make them move as one as they pivot about the axis X-X. To enable it to be moved, the sliding bolt 15H has an arm in the form of a projecting pin 15K sliding in a slot 15J formed in the rod 15F. In this way the handles can be locked together and used simultaneously, or else left independent of each other. Each handle can be connected by a cable 15L passing around a sheave 15M to the set of weights, 13 to enable the person sitting in the workstation to lift it by rotating the handlebar unit in the direction F1 about the axis X-X— and/or the handles 15A, 15B about their respective axes Y-Y in the direction F2, thereby exercising, muscles in the arms and chest. Stops 7B mounted on the top bar 7 limit the pivoting of the rods 15D, 15F in both directions.

In addition, each bench 9 comprises, hinged about a horizontal axis X1-X1 to the end of the central bar 9A (FIGS. 1 and 4) supporting the horizontal sitting surface, a pivoting rod 19 with, mounted on opposite sides, a pair of rotatable rollers 20 of horizontal axis that each fit into the instep of the person training, as shown in FIG. 1. A second pair of rotatable rollers 22 is mounted on the central bar 9A to provide support underneath the thighs. The pivoting rod 19 is connected by a cable 19A and sheaves 19B, 19C to the set of weights 13, so that the person sitting in the workstation can lift it by turning the rod 19 in the direction F3, thus exercising muscles in the legs and abdomen.

Additionally, for each workstation, levers 21A, 21B hinged to respective pins 22A, 22B (see also FIGS. 2 and 11) mounted on the base 3 can be rotated by the soles of the feet of the seated person in order to raise the set of weights 13 via respective cables 21C and pulleys 21D, 21E, thus exercising the leg muscles.

The machine may also include another handlebar unit 23 (see also FIGS. 12 and 13) whose handles 23A, 23B can be moved wider apart for exercising with the arms parallel or spread out as desired. This handlebar unit 23 may be connected to the top bar 7 by a cable 23A passing around pulleys 23B, 23C, allowing the person sitting in the workstation to lift the set of weights 13 by pulling down on the handlebar unit.

The rod 19 can be fixed in a position pointing away from the machine and inclined at an angle of 45° relative to a horizontal plane, using a sliding bolt 19D inserted in holes in the rod 19 and in plates 9D integral with the bar 9A. With the rod 19 locked in this position, the handlebar unit 23 can be used to lift the set of weights 13 by pulling it in the direction F4, as shown in FIG. 15, having first connected the handlebar unit 23 to said set of weights by a cable 23H passing around a pulley 19E mounted on the free end of the rod 19, and around other pulleys such as 23B, 23C fitted to the-top bar 7. This particularly exercises the muscles of the arms and shoulders. Alternatively, after rotating the rod 19 into the vertical upward position shown illustratively in dashes in FIG. 1 and having locked it there by means of the sliding bolt 19D, the handlebar unit 23 can be connected to the set of weights 13 as shown in FIG. 14, via a cable 23W and pulleys 23V, 23Z, in order to be pulled in the direction F5 by a person standing and looking toward the machine, in order to exercise the arms and back in particular. A second cable 23T and pulleys 23R, 23S allow an instructor, using a second handlebar unit 123, to add resistance whenever he wishes to the force of the set of weights 13, for the training of a pupil or of a rehabilitation patient.

Mounted above each workstation, at the ends of the top bar 7, are fans 8 to move the air around the workstations. The drafts of the fans are preferably oriented horizontally so as not to directly strike the people exercising.

The sheaves mentioned in the description, in particular sheaves 21E, 23B, 23C, 19B, 19C, may each have a plurality of adjacent grooves in order to take a plurality of cables simultaneously, for combined exercises.

FIG. 16 shows another embodiment of the invention, with a machine that has four workstations arranged in a radiating pattern in plan view about the vertical axis of symmetry Z-Z of the machine. Each workstation is composed-of components similar to those described in relation to FIG. 1, and there is a set of weights 113 (FIG. 17) in which there are twice as many openings as in FIG. 10 for the passage of the flat rods 12, the openings being situated along the four sides of the plates 113A to enable an orderly arrangement of the connecting cables of the moving parts of each of the four stations with the set of weights 113. In this way up to four people can train together, cooperating to lift the same set of weights 113.

It will be understood that the drawing shows only an example which is provided purely as a practical demonstration of the invention, which invention can be varied in its shapes and arrangements without thereby departing from the scope of the concept on which the invention is based. The presence of any reference numbers in the appended claims is for the purpose of facilitating the reading of the claims with reference to the description, and does not limit the scope of protection represented by the claims. 

1. A gymnastic machine for training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles and joints of the human body, comprising a fixed frame to which means are attached that can be actuated by the limbs to overcome a force generated by resistance components by performing one or more exercises and including at least two workstations, each for one person, characterized in that said individual workstations comprise a handlebar unit hinged at the top to the structure by pivoting rods and comprising two handles extending generally vertically and each hinged to its own one of said pivoting rods about an axis parallel to said rod, said rods of all the individual workstations being connected to the same resistance component so as to allow said persons, working together, to sum their respective efforts as they exercise.
 2. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said resistance component is a weight or a set of weights.
 3. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said resistance component is a spring.
 4. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said resistance component is a fluid actuator.
 5. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said resistance component is an electric or electromagnetic actuator.
 6. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that said frame has a vertical axis of symmetry about which at least two workstations are arranged, each comprising a bench and means that can be actuated for exercises to be carried out by the arms and legs.
 7. Machine according to claim 6, characterized in that a resistance component shared by the various workstations is arranged approximately coaxially with said axis of symmetry.
 8. Machine according to claim 7, characterized in that said pivoting rods can be locked together with a sliding bolt.
 9. Machine according to claim 8, characterized in that said actuating means for each workstation include a bar hinged near the front edge of the bench and support rollers, one for the instep and one for the thighs, said bar being connected to the set of weights by a cable passing over respective sheaves, for exercising the muscles of the legs in particular.
 10. Machine according to claim 9, characterized in that said bar can be locked by locking means with its free end pointing upward or inclined at 45° upward and outward from the machine, to allow traction exercises with the arms using an auxiliary handlebar unit.
 11. Machine according to claim 10, characterized in that said actuating means for each workstation include a pair of levers that can be actuated with the feet by the person sitting in the workstation, said levers being rotatable about pins fixed to the base of the machine and connected to said set of weights by respective cables passing over pulleys.
 12. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises at least two or more workstations arranged symmetrically in a radiating pattern in plan view.
 13. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises one or more fans situated above the workstations to move the air around them.
 14. Machine according to claim 1, characterized in that at least some of said sheaves each have more than one peripheral groove for the simultaneous passage around them of a plurality of cables for combined exercises.
 15. A method for training and physical rehabilitation, characterized in that two or more persons, one for each said workstation, work together using individual actuating means belonging to said workstations to overcome the same resistance component, such as a set of weights or the like.
 16. A gymnastic machine for training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles and joints of the human body, and methods of training and physical rehabilitation that use said machine; the whole as disclosed above and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing.
 17. A method according to claim 16 for training and physical rehabilitation, characterized in that, while a pupil performs a traction on one handlebar unit (23) to overcome a resistance component, an instructor using a second handlebar unit connected by a cable to the pupil's handlebar unit opposes the action of the pupil, even putting him or her through passive stretching exercises.
 18. A gymnastic machine for training and/or rehabilitation of the muscles and joints of the human body, and methods of training and physical rehabilitation that use said machine; the whole as disclosed above and as illustrated by way of example in the accompanying drawing. 